Google MapsA Google Maps street view of the Lukoil gas station in Branchville. The station agreed to pay a $20,000 fine to settle allegations it illegally raised prices following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.

TRENTON — A Sussex County gas station has agreed to pay $20,000 to settle allegations of price gouging last year during Tropical Storm Irene, the state Attorney General's Office said today.

Thakur Gas, which does business as Lukoil at 384 Route 206 North in Branchville, must also pay $30,000 if it violates the state Consumer Fraud Act or terms of the settlement during the next three years.

State authorities sued the company in December after customers complained that the station steeply increased its prices right after the storm, when the governor had declared a state of emergency.

Under state law, price increases are considered excessive if they are more than 10 percent higher than the price at which a good or service was sold before an emergency, the office said.

“Excessive price increases during a declared state of emergency constitute price gouging and are illegal. We will not allow consumers to be gouged for the very items they need to recover after a disaster strikes,” said Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa.

Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Kant represented the state in this action.